Athletics Strategic Communications Director

University of North Carolina Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Charlotte's Athletics Department seeks an Executive Director of Strategic Communications to lead the communications operation, craft executive messaging, and strengthen media relationships. This leader will coach and manage a team of four, collaborate across Marketing, Creative Services, and university leadership, and elevate the department's visibility regionally and nationally.

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in a related field and 5–7 years in college athletics or PR, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• 5-7 years in college athletics, professional sports, or PR/communications in education or private sector.
• 5 years of direct team supervision; football and/or men's basketball preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Charlotte Athletics' communications operation and build a modern communications organization focused on strategic communications, public relations, executive communications, internal communications, storytelling, institutional messaging, fan engagement support, recruiting, and organizational reputation.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Fan Engagement, Creative Services, Charlotte 49ers Ventures, the 49ers Club, university leadership, and campus partners to develop a unified communications strategy.
• Serve as primary communications advisor to the Director of Athletics, providing strategic counsel on executive messaging, leadership communications, institutional positioning, public perception, and high-profile initiatives.
• Supervise four full-time employees.

Skills

Media relations

Executive communications

Crisis communications

Storytelling

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Editing

Leadership

Digital communications

AI in communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

UNC Charlotte's Athletics Department seeks an Executive Director of Strategic Communications to lead the communications operation, craft executive messaging, and strengthen media relationships. This leader will coach and manage a team of four, collaborate across Marketing, Creative Services, and university leadership, and elevate the department's visibility regionally and nationally.

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in a related field and 5–7 years in college athletics or PR, with a